Summary/Highlights:

Mother Nature has turned up the heat quite a bit recently, making it feel like summer instead of spring. This warm and humid trend is expected to continue, at least for a few days, before a brief period of cool and stormy weather arrives late in the week. Middle 80s and uncomfortable humidity is expected through Wednesday, along with the possibility for isolated showers or thunderstorms each day. Wednesday morning is likely to feature more widespread shower activity before the main rain event of the week arrives on Thursday as temperatures take a dive. Cloudy skies early on Thursday will lead to thunderstorms by evening, some of which could have the potential to lay down some desperately needed heavy rainfall in the area. Other than a few departing showers on Friday morning, expect dry and cool conditions for the rest of the day as clouds clear out. A warming trend will begin over the weekend, bringing temperatures back into the 70s and a lot of sunshine.

Northeast Illinois has been upgraded to a severe drought (Level 3 of 5 drought) as dry conditions over the entirety of spring along with no significant rainfall has led to a severe deficit in rainfall compared to average. During the entire month of May 2021 so far, Chicago O’Hare Int’l Airport has reported only 0.47” of rainfall, equating to only an average of 0.02” of rain a day. Should this dry pattern continue, northeast Illinois could soon be facing more substantial drought problems.

Daily Forecast:

Monday 5/24: Hot and humid conditions are expected with temperatures pushing 90 degrees. Generally partly cloudy skies for most of the day are expected, though a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms exists throughout the day. High temperature of 88° with a low temperature of 67°.

Tuesday 5/25: Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will lead to an increase in clouds for the afternoon. Cloudy skies will continue into the evening along with the possibility of isolated to scattered thunderstorms, mainly south. Gusty winds to 40 mph can be expected periodically during the day. High temperature of 84° with a low temperature of 65°.

Wednesday 5/26: A few showers are possible early, otherwise clouds will be decreasing through the morning. Mostly sunny skies are then expected for the remainder of the day before clouds begin to increase again overnight. High temperature of 83° with a low temperature of 51°.

Thursday 5/27: Much cooler temperatures expected with generally overcast skies throughout most of the day. Thunderstorms are likely to arrive by evening and could bring some locally heavy rainfall, though details are uncertain. Gusty winds will begin to ramp up Thursday PM to near 40 mph at times. High temperature of 65° with a low temperature of 49°.

Friday 5/28: A few residual AM showers are possible from Thursday’s rain before clouds disperse and partly cloudy skies emerge for the afternoon and evening. Clouds will continue to lessen as the day goes on, with mostly clear skies expected overnight. Gusty winds of 35 to 45 mph should subside by evening. High temperature of 63° with a low temperature of 49°.

Saturday 5/29: Beautiful conditions likely with comfortable temperatures, calm winds, low humidity, and mostly sunny skies. High temperature of 69° with a low temperature of 51°.

Sunday 5/30: A carbon copy of Saturday is likely as temperatures near average with relatively low humidity and calm winds. Mostly if not fully sunny skies are expected. High temperature of 74° with a low temperature of 57°.

National Weather Headlines:

Drought is the story across much of the United States this month, with only the Lower Mississippi river valley region not reporting any drought. 60% of the United States is currently experiencing some level of drought. 22% of the US, mainly in the western portion, are experiencing severe drought or higher. No end is in sight for much of the drought across the United States.